Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Religion

Metaphysics and the Functions of Religion

Religion responds to the problems of reality and existence by rationally analyzing the metaphysics of religion. It serves two primary functions:

• Establishing communication between human beings and a scope that transcends them, which attempts to explain the mysteries of life.
• Maintaining a social component within the human experience.

Common Traits of the Sacred and the Religious

The religious experience is composed of several common traits:

• Recognition of a transcendent scope: Acknowledging a reality that transcends human life and contingent physical existence.
• The Sacred vs. The Profane: The transcendent area is sacred and separate from the profane, yet it influences it.
• Awe and Admiration: The sacred inspires

1.9: The Origins of the Christian Church and Pentecost

The coming of the Holy Spirit marked the beginning of the Christian church, as described in early Christian writings.

Characteristics of Early Christians

Early Christian texts, such as the Speech to Diognetus, outline four key life characteristics of early Christians: they spend time on earth while holding heavenly citizenship, and their spiritual lives surpass the passage of time despite facing persecution.

1.10: Functions of Bishops, Deacons, and the Early Church

Bishops and deacons played vital roles in early Christian communities. Bishops were responsible for the transmission of the evangelical message, administering baptism and the Eucharist, and presiding over religious celebrations as...

Renaissance in Italy and Spain

Renaissance begins in the fourteenth century in northern Italy and later arrives in Spain in the sixteenth century, coinciding with the reigns of Carlos V (1516–1556) and Felipe II (1556–1598). The Renaissance arises from the diffusion of humanistic ideas, which propose a new conception of man and the world.

Humanism: Concepts and Impact

Humanism is the study of philosophical and literary works of antiquity and an assessment of man — anthropocentrism. The result was the replacement of the medieval view in which God occupied the center of the universe: man would become the center of the universe and all facets would merit praise. This does not mean that there was a rebirth of religiosity; rather, new forms of...

Life in the First Church

The life of the first community can be grouped into several key aspects: communion, which is the fruit of faith in Jesus; living together and sharing a relationship with God; and performing rituals, prayers, and celebrations, such as the breaking of bread (Eucharist).

Hierarchy of the Church

• Universal Church: Pope
• National Churches: Episcopal Conference President
• Ecclesiastical Provinces: Archbishop
• Dioceses: Bishop

Images to Describe the Church

• God's People: We join the body through the baptism of Christ, where there is a variety of functions and tasks.
• Temple of the Holy Spirit: The apostles raised the Church as a building, the house of God. The Church announces itself as a temple through the Holy Spirit who lives and acts

Divine Revelation

Revelation is the self-manifestation of God and His plan of salvation through deeds and words, the fullness of which is Christ.

The God of History

• A liberating God
• A God of the covenant
• A faithful God

The God of the Prophets

• A holy God
• A God of the poor
• A God with the entrails of love

Manifestations of God in Jesus

• A God, lover of life: Who stands with the individual against evil and pain.
• A God who is only love: A God who is present with human beings and never tires of loving.
• A God who is Father: Because He values us and wants us as sons and daughters.
• A crucified God: Manifested on the cross of Jesus as love and forgiveness for all humanity.
• A God of the future: Manifested in the resurrection of Jesus.
• A Trinitarian God: Manifested as

Moral and Religious Literature

1. Crisis: Schism marked the end of the Middle Ages and a spiritual crisis. Cable Religion figures.

2. Francesc Eiximenis: (14th century) Franciscan Order, influential in Europe. Didactic and informational aims. (Exempla) comics (public and secular majority): the Christian, Book of Angels, and women.

3. Saint Vincent Ferrer: Valencia (14th-15th century) Dominican friar, influential. Preached throughout Europe. Intention to reform the moral traditions of society. (Sermons): oral texts designed to preach (280) copied by priests and penitents. Charisma, aldermen, Martin of Aragon, and Jews. Gestures, onomatopoeia.

4. Anselm Turmeda: (14th century) Franciscan friar, converted to Islam (revered), prohibited by the Inquisition....

The Dialogue Between Doctrines

The dialogue between different doctrines is only possible when you accept two assumptions: that none possesses the plain truth and that all are on an equal footing regarding their rationale and criteria of justification. Christianity denies both cases. By asserting the divine origin of Christian truth—presented as "truth" without qualification—it elevated its ground and justification criteria to a higher plane than the philosophical doctrines with which it engaged. This attitude displeased the philosophers, who found it primitive and insulting.

The Christian Image of God

Although Christianity is not a philosophy, the content of Christian faith includes doctrines that offer answers to traditional philosophical...

Core Principles of Humanism

1. The exaltation of human beings occurred when they were seen as the only ones endowed with reason and freedom. This movement drew inspiration from Greco-Roman culture. There was a significant interest in science and technical progress based on observation and experimentation. Furthermore, the utilization of vernacular languages to transmit culture began replacing Latin and Greek.

The Impact of the Printing Press

2. In less time, many more copies of a book could be produced; for this reason, the printing press helped spread ideas and thoughts much faster.

Causes of Religious Dissatisfaction

3. Parts of society were unhappy with several factors: the exaggerated luxury in which the high ecclesiastical hierarchy lived,...

El Renacimiento: Segunda Mitad del Siglo XVI

Durante la segunda mitad del siglo XVI, el Renacimiento se vio influenciado por la crítica de la Contrarreforma contra el protestantismo. Esto provocó una respuesta que prohibió la salida al extranjero, estudiar fuera y la lectura de libros externos.

Corrientes Poéticas

Lírica Petrarquista

Fernando de Herrera introdujo cambios positivos tanto en sus conceptos teóricos como en la lengua, buscando una renovación y belleza en su escritura. Escribió principalmente poesía amorosa.

Lírica Horaciana

Algunos autores se inclinaron por cultivar temas morales. Se caracteriza por el uso de la estrofa de la lira y un lenguaje escueto y recortado. Su máximo representante es Fray Luis de León.

Lírica Religiosa

En...

The Supreme Being: God

There is a supreme and incomprehensible reality of the human experience named as God. We designate this reality as the Mystery, a presence felt in the realm of the sacred that invites humanity to a personal reorganization.

This is not a concept that can be learned or discovered; it is an experience. The religious presence in its proximity is absolutely real, yet simultaneously unprovable, as we cannot rely on rational evidence to demonstrate such a presence.

The Nature of the Divine

This reality is fundamentally different and superior to humanity—it is the "totally other" in contrast to the mundane and the natural; therefore, it is transcendent. At the same time, it feels intimately close in the depths of the person. This...